Justin Timberlake Impersonates Elton John on ‘Saturday Night Live’

It probably goes without saying that not all 'Saturday Night Live' hosts are created equal. But say what you will about Justin Timberlake, whenever he shows up at the 'SNL' set for one of his frequent visits, he brings comic timing as well as musical talent to the table.

Timberlake made his fifth hosting appearance last Saturday (March 9), kicking off the show with a cold open that found him playing Elton John performing at the funeral for deceased Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez because, as he put it, "A gig's a gig." Mocking John's decision to re-record 'Candle in the Wind' in tribute to Princess Diana after her death, the segment found Timberlake crooning altered 'Candle' lyrics like "You said the U.S. causes earthquakes and you outlawed Coke Zero / And on your shoulder sat your parrot with a matching red beret." And of course, the song's ending worked in the famous 'SNL' opening line: "You were hero to your people and you never gave up a fight / We'll miss you Hugo Chavez, because live from New York it's Saturday night."

John fans may recall that this isn't Timberlake's first time doing this act; he also appeared as a younger Elton in the video for John's 2001 single 'This Train Don't Stop There Anymore,' from his 'Songs from the West Coast' album. And speaking of new albums, with John prepping his next LP, 'The Diving Board,' for a September release, perhaps we'll see Elton himself on the next season of 'SNL' -- with or without a wigged Timberlake adding backup support.